Tragedy In Oedipus Rex
The Greek drama Oedipus Rex is clearly a tragedy. It definitely meets the
five main criteria for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a tragic flaw,
a fall from grace, a moment of remorse, and catharsis.
Oedipus Rex clearly meets the first of these five criteria. Oedipus is the
son of Laius, who was king of Thebes. Even at the beginning of the story, when
we are told that Oedipus is the son of Polybus, he is still of noble birth;
Polybus is king of Corinth.
The tragic flaw, or mistake that a character makes, in Oedipus Rex does not
actually take place during the story. We only watch as Oedipus and the rest of
the characters discover this mistake that was actually made long, long ago ...
Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers
|
occurs rather
quickly, very close to the end of the play.
The audience sees this coming long before it actually does, however. In one
of the passages of Oedipus speaking with Jocasta, just about everything is
spelled out for us. Jocasta speaks of Laius leaving the castle with just a few
servants and his being killed where three roads meet. Oedipus claims that he
killed somebody where three roads met, who had a few servants with him. As
though this isn't enough, Jocasta describes Laius to Oedipus by saying "his
figure was not much unlike your own" (p. 27). Oedipus, after hearing all this,
says "O, it is plain already!" (p. 27) indicating that he was the killer of his
father. He goes on to make absolutely sure, even though it is obvious that he
was Lauis's killer.
The moment of remorse comes at the end of the story, when one of the servants
who had accompanied Laius on his final journey came to speak to Oedipus. He was
the only one who survived the attack, and told that contrary ...
Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.
Already a member? Login
|
CITE THIS PAGE:
Tragedy In Oedipus Rex. (2005, August 3). Retrieved March 26, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragedy-In-Oedipus-Rex/31065
"Tragedy In Oedipus Rex." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 3 Aug. 2005. Web. 26 Mar. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragedy-In-Oedipus-Rex/31065>
"Tragedy In Oedipus Rex." Essayworld.com. August 3, 2005. Accessed March 26, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragedy-In-Oedipus-Rex/31065.
"Tragedy In Oedipus Rex." Essayworld.com. August 3, 2005. Accessed March 26, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragedy-In-Oedipus-Rex/31065.
|
Save
Report